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Cable recognized, Scott honored

A McAlester lawyer was recognized for his part in ‘‘Lawyers Transforming Lives.’’Brett Daniel Cable received the inaugural Roger Scott Award from the Oklahoma Bar Foundation during the general session of the OBA’s 105th annual meeting.He is a member of the Steidley and Neal Law Firm,The award honored Roger R. Scott, a Tulsa attorney and OBF board member who died June 30.Scott, active in the Oklahoma Bar Association and Tulsa County Bar Association, served in various roles in helping maintain high standards in the legal profession.‘‘Roger labored mightily to fulfill the OBF’s purpose — Lawyers Transforming Lives,’’ wrote Richard A. ‘‘Rick’’ Riggs, OBF president, in his tribute in August issue of the Oklahoma Bar Journal. The award approved by trustees in Scott’s memory will recognize others who similarly contribute to this cause to be honored annually.Even though Cable knew about the award in advance, he said he was humbled by the honor. He shared a seat with Scott on the OBF board of directors.Cable was praised for his work on the foundation and for encouraging newly admitted attorneys to become a fellow and be active.A fair number of young admittees took Brett’s suggestion and joined the foundation, according to Nancy Norsworthy, executive director.Cable is serving his fourth year as an OBF board member.He initially was named to the board to fill out a term before being named to the position in his own right.The University of Tulsa College of Law graduate got involved in OBA activities at the urging of Leslie Lynch, chair of the OBA Young Lawyers Division, after being admitted to practice in 2002.Almost immediately Cable found himself on the Young Lawyers Board of Directors where he served four years before becoming an OBF board member.‘‘I value that work with the Foundation,’’ he said, ‘‘because it is possible to see a lot of lawyers doing great work with various charitable groups throughout the state.’’Cable is especially proud of the pro bono services provided by various organizations funded by Foundation grants.That funding makes the difference between whether or not these groups are able to offer services to people who couldn’t otherwise afford it, he said. Not only are legal services provided, but also legal education is made available.Communities are unaware of the services provided by the Foundation and Oklahoma attorneys, Cable said.Cable paused for a moment, then smiled as he noted that he is nearing the end of his time as a member of the Young Lawyers Division.That division has been vital in grooming newly-admitted attorneys to understand the importance of being part of association activities.Even as his part in the Young Lawyers Division ends, Cable plans to be active at the state level in one form or another.‘‘I’m sure someone will have a need for me,’’ he said.In addition to the state activities, Cable and his wife Hannah are co-vice presidents of the Pittsburgh County Bar Association.Cable and Scott had many similarities.Riggs wrote that ‘‘Roger had an unqualified dedication to the Oklahoma Bar Foundation and the good work it does in the name of Oklahoma lawyers. He was willing to take on any assignment — even taking charge of the tasks most of us would like to avoid — like asking friends for money.‘‘He led by example and by gentle encouragement. Most impressively, he pursued all this work with a positive spirit and a sense of humor.’’Riggs went on to point out that when Scott took on a project, he fulfilled it. Scott, because of his dedication to legal ethics, served as chair of the OBA Legal Ethics Committee, as a member of the OBA Professional Responsibility Tribunal and chair of the City of Tulsa Ethics Committee.Because of that work, Scott was awarded the John E. Shipp Award for Ethics by the OBA in 2002.